Cognitive function, specifically memory, 8 weeks, 16 weeks, and 12 months from the start of treatment as measured by the HVLT-R-delayed recall [ Time Frame: Baseline to 12 months from the start of drug treatment ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Neurocognitive failure as measured by a battery of tests [ Time Frame: Baseline to 12 months from the start of drug treatment ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Quality-of-life as measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Brain subscale (FACT-Br) [ Time Frame: Baseline to 12 months from the start of drug treatment ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Progression-free survival [ Time Frame: From randomization to date of progression, death or last follow-up. Analysis occurs at the same time as the primary outcome. ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Overall survival [ Time Frame: From randomization to date of death or last follow-up. Analysis occurs at the same time as the primary outcome. ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

RATIONALE: Memantine may be able to decrease side effects caused by whole-brain radiation therapy. It is not yet known if memantine is effective in preventing side effects caused by whole-brain radiation therapy.

PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying memantine to see how well it works compared to a placebo in preventing side effects caused by whole-brain radiation therapy in patients with brain metastases from solid tumors.

Detailed Description

OBJECTIVES:

Primary

Determine whether the addition of memantine hydrochloride to whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) preserves cognitive function, specifically memory, as measured by the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test for delayed recall (HVLT-delayed recall), over that of placebo and WBRT in patients with brain metastases at 24 weeks from the start of drug treatment.

Secondary

Determine whether the addition of memantine hydrochloride preserves cognitive function, specifically memory, as measured by the HVLT-delayed recall at 8 weeks, 16 weeks, and 12 months from the start of drug treatment.

Determine whether the addition of memantine hydrochloride increases time to neurocognitive failure as measured by cognitive decline on a battery of tests including the HVLT for free recall, delayed recall, and delayed recognition; the Controlled Word Association Test (COWAT); the Trail Making Test Parts A and B (TMT); the Medical Outcomes Scale-Cognitive Functioning Subscale (MOS); and the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE).

Evaluate the potential benefit of memantine hydrochloride in change and overall quality of life, as measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Brain (FACT-Br) subscale.